Best Free VPNs for Netflix 2022

  • 04/Jan/2022
  • 12:04 pm

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Trying to get a VPN that works with Netflix for free may be like looking for a needle in a haystack. For one thing, there are tons of them out there. For another, most of them are out to steal your data and may not afford you the protection you need.

That being said, even some of the reasonably safe free VPNs can’t get around to unblock Netflix for free. We have tested tons of free VPNs and found most of them to be very restrictive - either limiting your data, impacting your connection speed or filled with annoying ads.

However, we found the following to be the best free VPNs for Netflix:

Free VPNs for Netflix that works in 2022

  1. ExpressVPN - 30 day VPN trial
  2. CyberGhost
  3. Opera VPN
  4. Hide.me
  5. Windscribe
  6. ProtonVPN
  7. TunnelBear

How does a VPN work?

With the growing rush for data online, a lot of internet users are adopting the use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for their activities online. A VPN connection ensures user anonymity online by encrypting the user’s traffic and sending it through their own private servers. This means that your internet connection will appear to be coming from the country where your VPN server is located. Making sure that your identity is protected against hackers and government agencies alike.

Here’s a simple illustration:

Normal connection without VPN

Your device —> The website

The website —> Your device

With a VPN your internet traffic is encrypted and rerouted through secure servers

Your device —> VPN servers (from your choice location)—> The website

The website —> VPN servers (from your choice location) —> Your device

You might be in your office space in Manchester, but as far as the website is concerned, you are connecting from a location in France.

Why do you need a VPN for Netflix?

Having in mind how VPN works, it is easily understandable why many Netflix users decide to use a VPN for their streaming sessions.

Netflix libraries differ from country to country, with some countries having more TV shows and films than others. It is possible that the series or show you want to watch won’t be available in the country you are streaming from. So, even if you have an active subscription on Netflix, you can’t still access some content, hence, the only way to bypass the geo-block is by connecting through a VPN that can bypass the geo-restriction or beat the Netflix proxy.

On the flip side, Netflix is particular about their policy on the use of VPN for accessing their content. It is a breach of their terms of use, so they can try to stop users once a VPN is detected. This means that even though you are connecting through a VPN service, you might still be denied access.

Paid VPN service for Netflix is always a better option – you can check out our list of the top 10 VPN services here.

What to expect from a free VPN for Netflix

There are a lot of factors that make for a good VPN service and they include server speed, server variety and location, data limit and security, etc. It is the combination of these factors that ensures that the user gets a smooth and secure experience online. Beyond being able to unblock geo-restricted content on Netflix, a VPN service should have all these features.

These features are easily obtainable with a paid VPN service, but, no free VPN can have it all; nothing free can. There are limitations, no doubt, but the most important is that the service is able to unblock restricted content on Netflix. Once this is settled, you can now decide on which combination of the above features will serve you better – security, speed, location, variety, etc. It all depends on what works best for you.

Even though it is difficult to find a wholesome free US VPN for Netflix, in this article, we will be outlining the best free VPNs to watch Netflix from any location.

Expert tip: How to get US Netflix free

  • Sign up for a Premium VPN - ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, Cyberghost. You can find out list of top vpn services
  • Download and install your VPN on your device
  • Sign up for Netflix or log in to your Netflix account
  • Connect your VPN to a location in the US
  • Take advantage of the money back guarantee of the service and request a refund.

Best VPNs for Netflix in 2022 (free)

1. ExpressVPN

Key features

  1. Super-fast streaming speeds
  2. Over 3,000 servers across 90+ countries
  3. Functional 30-day money-back guarantee
  4. Bypasses geo-blocks on Netflix from around the globe
  5. You can 5 simultaneous connections with one subscription
  6. Works well for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Vudu, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, and more
  7. Works well on Windows, Android, Linux, routers, iOS, macOS, Chrome, Apple TV, and more

ExpressVPN is hands down the best VPN service available worldwide; and in our own opinion the best VPN for Netflix. Their service isn’t free, nonetheless, with the service you can have it all in one package. The best way to use their speedy service in this context is through their 30-day VPN trial period that comes with a money-back guarantee. This means that you can access their premium offerings for a period of one month and ask for a refund if you feel the service wasn’t what you expected it to be.

ExpressVPN gives you a lag and buffer free browsing experience online. With their Ultra HD feature, you can stream videos at an amazing speed of 46 Mbps which is 41 Mbps higher than the required speed for streaming Netflix. This means that your session will be faster than the usual and as simple as scrolling through your phone menu.

With ExpressVPN, there is no slacking on speed, data or security. They boast of over 3,000 servers spread across the globe with which users can unblock Netflix from any country in the world. No matter the country library you are trying to access, you can trust ExpressVPN to easily get you in whilst encrypting your online traffic. Beyond being able to unlock Netflix, you can access other libraries on streaming sites world over, such as Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max.

Their MediaStreamer feature ensures that you can access your best shows and films on any device and with the same subscription. With the MediaStreamer feature, you can set up your device or gadget for any streaming platform in no time at all. It works perfectly for Netflix users who wants to access their favorite contents on the go, you can easily switch from streaming on your phone to streaming on your smart TV, vice versa.

ExpressVPN is heavily secured with a military grade encryption that ensures that your data is intact when you are online. All their servers are equipped to run their encrypted DNS separately, which means that you are covered regardless of the one you choose. ExpressVPN is committed to user security and privacy and have gone the mile to ensure they offer the best service available in that regard. That is why you can rest, assured that your online activities are private with no logs, no slowdowns and no filtering.

As an icing on the cake, you can have up to 5 simultaneous devices connected on a single account and with one subscription. This means that you can have your friends and family enjoying different content all at the same time and with the same subscription. It also means that you can easily switch devices and still get the best experiences on each of them.

We won’t end this ExpressVPN Review without commenting on their customer support services, available 24/7: if you run into hitches using their service, which is very unlikely, you can rely on them for immediate help.

2. CyberGhost

  1. Has 7,200+ servers that dots over 90 countries
  2. New users get 24-hour free trial
  3. Lightning speeds common with all servers, even local servers
  4. Maintains high privacy with zero logs policy
  5. Users can connect up to 7 devices simultaneous on a single subscription
  6. Works well for Netflix, Disney +, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and more
  7. Works well on Android, macOS, iOS, Windows, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, and more

CyberGhost ranks amongst the very best VPN services available online. The service provider comes in as the second best VPN for Netflix on our list. This can be attributed to their high quality servers that are fully enhanced for Netflix. Even beyond the Netflix optimized servers, their service is highly recommended for a number of other unique reasons.

CyberGhost has servers in the US, UK, France, Germany, Canada, Australia and other parts of the globe. It is an excellent choice if you are looking for an American VPN for Netflix, free of charge. Their servers, beyond being Netflix optimized, are labelled to aid easy navigation and fast search or connection to the preferred server.

Just a little notch above that seen in ExpressVPN, CyberGhsot boasts of a very fast internet speed. Their servers – especially the servers in the US, can process, stream and download on the internet at an unbeatable speed of 46.5 Mbps. At the last count, the VPN service provider has over 7260 servers spread across the globe and their service allows for seamless and unlimited server switches. All their servers are enhanced with top security features, such as seen in military websites. CyberGhost is one of the best free VPN for windows and other operating systems, even though the free trial lasts for 24 hours only.

CyberGhost is very easy to install and use on any device. It doesn’t require so much time and it is very easy to navigate. The service comes with an ad block that works perfectly for devices that run on Windows and Android operating systems; of course you won’t like to have those annoying ads that interrupt your streaming intermittently.

This works even when you are logged on using their VPN free trial mode. The only downside is that the virtual private network free trial on CyberGhost can only be accessed for 24 hours. This means that you will only be able to stream your best show or movie geo-blocked at your location, for a whole day for free. You can still leverage their 45-day money back guarantee, and ask for a refund if the service wasn’t satisfactory anymore.

3. OperaVPN

  1. Users get unlimited free data and bandwidth for streaming Netflix
  2. Not throttling and speed hoarding
  3. The service has an Ad blocker
  4. Bypasses geo-restrictions on Netflix UK, Sweden, and Singapore
  5. Works well for Netflix UK, Netflix Sweden, Netflix Singapore
  6. Works well on Windows, Android, iOS, macOS

Opera VPN is your go to service provider when you want it totally free and safe. It is an in-browser VPN service that offers unrestricted access to Netflix for free. When you think of security, online safety and privacy for no cost, then think about Opera VPN. Even though it is among the very few free VPN services for unblocking Netflix, this does not make it equal with paid VPN services. As stated earlier, nothing is totally free.

Opera VPN has services that span only three locations, the Americas, Asia and Europe. And whilst you can switch between servers as many times as possible, your ability to choose or pinpoint a server to use will be restricted. This will be one hurdle users will have to scale when they have to access content that is peculiar to a certain location outside their own geography. For new users, this can be a bit frustrating, but not impossible. When in luck, you will be able to switch seamlessly and avoid being rerouted to other locations that wouldn’t give you what you want at the moment.

Opera VPN service works well for people who are moving to a country where there is no Netflix and are willing to stream from any country. Accessing US Netflix is near impossible with their service too. Aside from this, you will have a nice experience using the service provider. With their service, you get unlimited data and bandwidth, which means that you are not limited by data. And then, you can be sure to stream buffer-free with Opera VPN, because they don’t throttle their network speed.

Depending on the location you choose, you might experience some lagging, especially at interesting points of your streaming experience. Some of the server locations offer more speed than others and the further you go from a fast server, the slower you stream gets. All these said, it is true that they are not the best or the fastest out there, but you can get a chance with Opera VPN. Their service comes with other good features like tracking and then you can install their ad blocker extension which helps to wade off annoying ads that interrupt your streaming session.

4. Hide.me

  1. Unblocks geo-restrictions on Netflix US, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands
  2. Users get 10GB of free data allowance per month for streaming
  3. User can only connect on one device per session
  4. Works well on Windows, Android, Mac, iOS and more
  5. Users can access 24/7 live chat and email support

Even though this service provider hasn’t made any official statement about their free version being able to bypass geo-blocks on Netflix, many users have testified of being able to access top Netflix libraries like that of the US, Canada, Netherlands and Germany using the free version of the VPN service provider. It is one of the free Netflix VPN android, Windows, iOS and Mac users – who want to access geo-blocked contents, can use. Nonetheless, it wasn’t very difficult to notice the hitches that are common with streaming Netflix with the free version of Hide.me and that not all the servers are able to make that connection for the user. Compared to the paid version of Hide.me and other paid VPN services, this free version is less wholesome.

The service provider offers very impressive speeds both on the free and paid version and it is common with all their local servers. With their service, lagging and buffering won’t be an issue to bother about because of the server speeds the service provides. Hide.me offers only 10GB of free monthly data, so if you are a heavy streamer and you intend to enjoy the service for free, then you might consider turning down the video resolution to a lower quality so as to save data.

Hide.me is on our list because the service provider is one of the very few VPN service providers that can give user’s access to Netflix free of charge. You won’t need to sign up for an account before you can use their service and beyond bypassing geo-blocks on Netflix, you can also access geo-blocked contents on other platforms like Hulu and Amazon Prime Video.

5. Windscribe

  1. Bypasses restrictions on Netflix US, UK, CA, FR, and GR
  2. Users 10GB in data allowance per month
  3. Promotional 5GB extra data allowance
  4. Comes with an ad blocker
  5. Works well for Netflix, HBO Go, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Now, Sling TV
  6. Works well on Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Chrome, Linux, routers

Windscribe comes highly recommended in our list. Windscribe is a free VPN that works on Netflix and other streaming platforms. With Windscribe, you can get a secure VPN connection that is trusted and a benevolent 10GB in data allowance monthly.

Their ultra HD version is not advisable for users who intend to maximize their free data allowance and are not so large on paying for extra data or time. Whilst streaming on SD, depending on the device you are streaming with, the free 10GB of free data will last only about 10 hours of streaming. Users also have an option to increase their monthly data allowance by 5GB when they tweet Windscribe.

Although 10GB doesn’t seem like a lot, it could stream over 10 hours of HD videos, and should successfully last you through the month if you’re only looking for protection while opening your mails and surfing the internet. With Windscribe, you can choose any of the 10 free server locations and you can switch between servers as many times as possible. With this feature, you can access various Netflix libraries in different locations, but you will still be confined to the 10 free locations you got. Netflix libraries that you can easily access with this service provider spans Netflix US, UK, France, Germany and Canada without any trouble. They have optimized servers called WINDFLIX that are only accessible on the paid version, same goes for their Australian library.

Interestingly, while its streaming optimized servers are only available to premium users, Windscribe successfully unblocks Netflix some of the time. So, feel free to give it a shot.

Even though the quality of streaming changes from location to location, the service provider has dispensed a lot of effort to ensure that streaming sessions are speedy and hitch-free making it one of the best free VPN for Netflix. On the US servers, you will get less buffering and lagging, plus you will better quality whilst streaming. But this is not very true for servers in other locations like France and Germany. Regardless, all Windscribe servers are optimized not to fall below 31 Mbps on any device whilst streaming or downloading. This still doesn’t stop the delay that comes during the transition between two episodes of the same show on Netflix.

Beyond being a VPN that works with Netflix free, Windscribe also boasts of a user-friendly interface that makes for easy navigation and seamless connections. Their apps are simple and very easy to use. You can get hooked on in no time at all and stream immediately without passing through the usual rigor that is experienced installing other similar services on your device. Their service doesn’t support ads that easily interrupt users whilst streaming. The service permits only one user per session, which makes streaming from many devices simultaneously impossible. There are some features that can’t be accessed on the free version, but their 24/7 live chat is always open and available whether you are using the free version or the paid version.

6. ProtonVPN

  1. Unlimited data allowance for uses
  2. Bypasses geo-blocks on Netflix US, JA, and NE
  3. Comes with a simple interface and easy-to-use app
  4. The service has an internal ad-blocker
  5. Works well with for Netflix, Sling TV, YouTube, Kodi, Hulu, HBO GO, HBO Now, ESPN
  6. Works well on Windows, iOS, macOS, Android, Chrome, Linux, Firefox

No matter what your mission is online – gaming, streaming, or browsing, ProtonVPN is amongst the top VPN providers that will serve your purpose and they are even more renowned for their ability to offer free VPN service. The service provider offers unlimited data allowance even on the free version. This is as massive as it can get, but all these doesn’t come without some other downsides.

With ProtonVPN, users can gain access to Netflix through servers spread across the US, Japan and the Netherlands. The service unblocks Netflix in all these locations seamlessly for free. This entails that the user will need to be content with what is provided, because access to other Netflix libraries, such as Canada, UK, Australia, Germany, etc., are inaccessible via their service. Other than this, you are provided with Netflix seamlessly even whilst in policy-tight locations like China.

Another downside is that, despite the unlimited data allowance you get when hooked on to their service, you are likely to face some lags due to throttled speeds. They have a limited bandwidth which means that buffering between episodes of the same show on Netflix is very common. Compared to the paid plan, the speed is about half as fast when using the free version of ProtonVPN.

More so when you are connected through a US server, you will lose almost 60% to throttled speeds; you can as well bid farewell to HD streaming whilst connected via US server. And at peak times, it is very likely you will experience some hitches before actual streaming begins.

This service provider ensures that their service is ad free. This means that you will not have to deal with the annoying popup ads that usually precedes a streaming session. ProtonVPN interphase is user friendly - whether you are connected via desktop or mobile. They have speed indicators on each server represented in their app which makes it very easy for users to decide between servers and locations without much hitches. And being that users can switch between servers, you can switch between servers according to speeds. You can get the best speeds available on the go whilst streaming your favorite content on Netflix.

The free version permits for only one user at a time; technically speaking, you can share your account or use it simultaneously on different devices at the same time. And just in case you have any issues or you need to make a report, you can contact their customer support, even though not live, you will still get a speedy response.

7. TunnelBear

  1. Users gain access to many global servers
  2. Easily bypasses geo-restriction on Netflix US, CA, UK, GR, FR
  3. Chinese users can access content from other locations
  4. Users get 500MB in data allowance per month (plus promotional 1GB)
  5. Speedy server connections
  6. Works well for Netflix, HBO Go, HBO Now, YouTube, Sling TV, Hulu
  7. Works well on Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Chrome, Linux, Firefox

TunnelBear is the last on our list but not the least of all. The service provider offers a free VPN that works with Netflix. They stand out for the quality of the free VPN they offer for accessing contents on Netflix. TunnelBear is free, fast, and secure; it offers unrestricted connection to any of their servers. On the free version, you get to choose from a wide array of servers located in over 23 countries, which is the same as when you are connecting via the paid or premium version. Their servers dot many great locations across the globe, including the UK, US, Canada, Germany, and Australia. Even with this, users still face little hitches accessing Netflix libraries in certain locations like Australia. Netflix libraries in the UK, US, France and Germany are easily accessed, though.

Despite the unlimited server connection, users on the free package are only allowed 500MB of streaming data allowance. This is considered poor; whether you are streaming on the SD version or the HD version (which is impossible), you will run out streaming data faster. They try to compensate users for this by giving out an extra 1GB of data per month when the user connects another device or tweets TunnelBear. Even though this happens fast and seamlessly, the data allowance is still little, especially when you desire to stream a long series on Netflix.

The service provider boasts of unlimited bandwidth, fast and reliable browsing or streaming speeds that works nearly for all the servers, except for those in far-flung locations like Australia. But generally, the service offers great spends for streaming even on the free version.

When connected via their US server, you might experience decreased speeds that are not very bad for a free VPN. Their service, nonetheless, is lag and buffer free. So, whilst you have the speed for streaming, you are only left to regret why you can’t get enough data allowance to enjoy your streaming session. With these two features, TunnelBear can easily become the best free VPN to watch Netflix. But just as stated earlier, no free service comes wholesome; you can’t have it all whilst connected via a free package.

With the service provider's GhostBear mode, users in policy-tight locations like China can access content on Netflix US, UK, AND Canada without being noticed by their Internet Service Provider (ISP). With this mode, you are encrypted even in your usage of VPN services, this means that even your ISP won’t notice that you are using a VPN. Their service permits only one user on an account per session, but of course, you can access the service from different connected devices. The more connected devices, the more data allowance the user gets. So, you might consider connecting from various devices intermittently to get more data allowance.

If you run into any hitches, you can rely on their ticketing feature. They don’t have a live chat, but their agents respond as soon as possible within the next 24 hours.

Does NordVPN work with Netflix 2022?

NordVPN is another VPN that works with Netflix free, but still based on the money-back guarantee like what is obtainable with ExpressVPN. That aside, NordVPN easily streams US Netflix and contents from Netflix libraries in 19 other regions. The service is fast, secure and private.

Is Netflix OK with VPNs?

Their terms of use does not permit the use of VPN to access their content, so they will block users who they detect connecting via VPN. But you won’t be charged legally for using a VPN service to access Netflix.

Is VPN illegal?

Not yet, but there are various policies for the use of VPNs in different countries. Also, whatever is illegal without the use of a VPN service will still be illegal when you are using a VPN. So it does not exonerate you from the law if you are caught using the service for illegal purposes.

How can I get Japanese Netflix for free?

The Japan Netflix library is geo-blocked for many countries and the only way to access it for free is through the use of a VPN service, like ExpressVPN or other suggested services listed above that can bypass the geo-block on Netflix JA.

Can you get Netflix free trial twice?

It is possible to get a second free trial on Netflix. It usually comes via email some months after the first trial ends. And there is a very high likelihood that you won’t be charged for the first month if you subscribe for one year after your first trial ends.

Is Netflix same everywhere?

As stated earlier in this guiding article, Netflix libraries differ from region to region - the library you can gain access to is dependent on your location. But with a VPN service like ExpressVPN Netflix libraries from any region across the globe becomes easily accessible.

What is my IP?

IP is an abbreviated form of Internet Protocol. It provides a means for identifying every computer or device that pushes traffic through a particular network. With a VPN, you can hide your IP address for privacy and security.